Although the Hormel Girls were professional performers from all walks of life in the later years of the Corps, in the beginning they were no strangers to wearing a uniform - all of them were veteran "G.I. Jills" returning from World War II.

As vice chairman of the American Legion's National Employment Committee, Jay C. Hormel was part of an all-out effort to find jobs for returning soldiers. Finding jobs for women veterans who wanted to work was particularly challenging.